Episode 17: Phil Boyte and Greg Hroch

Join Phil Boyte and his guest Greg Hroch as they talk about engaging every student on your campus. Greg has been working in education for over 30 years and now helps run a company focused on tracking student involvement. In this podcast, Phil and Greg talk about the benefits to engaging more students, how to redefine “Friday Night Lights” and why students are drawn to the NEW.

A little about Greg:

Greg Hroch has been in the education business for the last 30 years. He began as a teacher and coach, then moved to activities where student involvement was his passion. Greg has been working full time with 5-Star Students engaging students for the past 5 years . He currently lives in Temecula, California with his wife Kathy. He has two sons that are in college and play baseball. You can usually find Greg at a baseball field watching his boys or traveling the world.

Great!!!! Thank you so much!!!! All I heard was super positive feedback!!!! Thanks for helping build the soul of our new school!!!

~ Dr. Eric Chagala, Vista Innovation and Design Academy

Today I witnessed (as a teacher participant) the most powerful message I have ever seen. Phil Boyte is quite simply amazing. Today felt like we part of a "bigger" thing. Students were overwhelmed by the message, as they were able to see they weren't alone in this world (cross the line). To Phil: You have a gift. The way you "bring it" and present it is amazing. You are powerful. You are funny. You are current. Every school in this country needs to have you. My hat is off to you and what you do for a living. I feel truly blessed to have been
a part of breaking down the walls today. And I will say this; today was a LIFE CHANGING day for some of our students.

~ Colin Toupin, Maple Ridge SS

Breaking Down the Walls is the MOST impactful program that I have ever seen brought to a school. It transformed our campus in only three days where students and teachers saw their peers connecting and appreciating each other more than we ever had. We are committed to bringing the program again this year because of the awesome impact it has. It truly is the one event that has the greatest impact at our school. It's a blessing!

~ Kristin Patten, Antelope High School

Breaking Down the Walls helps us meet our school mission of Mind, Heart, Spirit - an education of the whole student. We greatly value relationships, and BDTW helps us create a positive sense of community

~ Anonymous

A person's story screams loudly in a world where people rarely stop to listen.

~ Three Oaks High School

Breaking Down the Walls was one of the most engaging assemblies we have had. The kids really connected to Phil's stories and message. The mini-workshops after the assemblies reached even our most reluctant participants and encouraged students to cross clique boundaries get to know others.

~ Burnett Middle School

I learned that my school is full of average kids who have gone through extraordinary things and have become extraordinary people because of it.

~ Oceanside High School

This experience was very impactful, even life changing, for many of our students. Students from other schools started asking their administration why they didn’t have the same opportunity. They heard about it through Facebook posts and even parents were calling to find out how their kids could have the same opportunity. It was a great experience and we look forward to continuing to offer it to our students. We found that students took the time to get to know others better throughout the year. This led to less fights and less bullying.

~ Jo Anne Daughtry, Kentwood High School

Breaking Down the Walls engages kids in a positive way with other kids that they would never have talked to before.

~ Rick Spears, Colfax High School

Breaking Down the Walls is a powerful program that helps young people learn that they are not alone. As our students participate in the activities, they soon find that they have more in common with their peers than they had realized and new relationships are discovered. Breaking Down the walls has had a tremendous impact on our campus, which includes 2800 students from a variety of ethnic and economic backgrounds. Our school has seen a huge reduction in disciplinary issues and student conflicts and Breaking Down the Walls is part of our school culture.